Mavericks Take Control of Clippers Series
Lucky Charm Leads to 2-0 Lead
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Dallas Mavericks took a commanding 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, thanks in part to a lucky charm that has become a staple for the team this season.
The Charm
The charm, a small horseshoe, was given to the Mavericks by a fan before the start of the playoffs. Since then, the team has worn it on their uniforms and has carried it with them to every game. The Mavericks have won all three games in which they have worn the charm.
"It's a little bit of a superstition, but it's also a reminder of the support we have from our fans," said Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. "It's a good luck charm, and it's something that we're all proud to wear."
The Game
The Mavericks took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers by 10 points to take a 10-point lead. The Clippers cut the lead to four points in the fourth quarter, but the Mavericks held on for the win.
"We knew that they were going to make a run at us in the fourth quarter," said Mavericks guard Luka Dončić. "But we just stayed calm and we kept playing our game. We're a tough team to beat when we're playing together, and we showed that tonight."
The Series
The Mavericks now have a 2-0 lead in the series, and they will have a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead when the series shifts to Dallas for Game 3 on Thursday night.
"We're not going to get ahead of ourselves," said Carlisle. "We know that the Clippers are a great team, and we're going to have to play our best if we want to win this series. But we're confident in our team, and we're looking forward to the challenge."
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